Assistant U.S. Attorney Alex Grant asked the judge to impose a sentence in the 262-327 month range, arguing that he was career offender.

“Taking him out of society means his drugs are out of society, and his gun is of society,” Grant said, noting that Vaughan’s two previous drug convictions represented “missed wake-up calls.”

Northampton defense lawyer Elaine Pourinski said her client was a non-violent offender who accepted responsibility for his crimes, and even volunteered to police that he kept a 44.-caliber pistol in his house on the morning he was arrested.

Vaughan fell into a depression following his mother’s death in April 2009, and self-medicated with alcohol and illegal drugs, according to Pourinski, who said his two previous drug offense were for small amounts of marijuana and cocaine.

Vaughan told the judge his family was swamped with bills following his mother’s death, and he needed money quickly. He rejected the option of getting a job after realizing the money he earned “wouldn’t be enough” to cover his family bills.

In addition to the 10-year sentence, Vaughan must serve eight years supervised release and receive substance abuse and vocational training in prison, Ponsor said.